Spider the Drummer

A musical play, based on a West Indian folktale

music and lyrics by Julie Argyle-Cross

Script, Score, Teaching and Backing Tracks,
Copying and Performing Rights
ALL AVAILABLE NOW – SHOP HERE

SYNOPSIS

A long time ago, when spiders and animals could talk, they used to all live together and communicate with people. The story begins with a married couple in the village inviting all their friends, people and animals, to a big party celebration. Spider the Drummer is the best musician in the village, but they have decided not to invite him or his family to the party, because they are very greedy and always eat all the food.

Everyone in the village is sworn to secrecy, but unfortunately two of Spider’s friends let the cat out of the bag! Spider is furious that he has not been invited – after all, he is the best musician. He hatches a plan to spoil the party and shares his idea with his family.

The next day all the villagers creep past spider’s house on their way to the party. They are carrying food and gifts. Spider and his family, however, are not at home. They are lying in wait, down by the stream. While the guests are at the party the hostess is in need of some water, so she sends the youngest girl to fetch some from the stream. As soon as the girl dips the pail in the water some strange, hypnotic music begins. It forces her to dance. She dances and dances until she falls to the ground, exhausted.

Each guest at the party comes down to the stream in turn, to try and get some water, but, of course, the same music plays, and exhausts each of them as they dance until they drop! They finally realise that Spider and his family have played a trick on them. They are forced to invite him to the party, otherwise they will be made to dance for ever! The celebration follows, with Spider and his family playing their best music for all the people and animals in the village.